2019-2020 Summer Reading Projects

All students and teachers will read at least one book from the book list below. After reading the book, students will complete one project (see choices and rubric on page 4). Remember that all pro- jects include a writing component.

During the first week of school students and teachers will meet in book groups to discuss the book and share student projects. Dis- cussion groups give both students and teachers the chance to connect to the literature by sharing their reactions, questions, and insights. Summer reading counts as a significant grade for your English class.

All books are available at Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and .com. Most titles are also available at the Leroy Collins Leon County Public Library. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Emily at [email protected].

Per School Board Policy 2240, Leon County Schools recognizes that certain instructional materials may conflict with a student's or parent's value system. In such cases, a parent may request in writing an alter- native Summer Reading Assignment. Please direct inquiries to Emily Bell at [email protected]

Be prepared to answer the following types of questions in your discussion group:

1. What surprised or intrigued you about the book? How did this Summer keep you involved/interested in the book? 2. What did you like/dislike about the book? Reading 3. What is one of your favorite parts of the book and why is it your counts as a favorite? Be Specific! 4. What dialogue and/or descriptions exemplified the author’s style significant as it relates to setting, theme, or characterization? grade for 5. Compare an experience you have had to the experience of one of the characters in the book. Use details from both the story and your English your own experiences in the comparison. Class. 6. What would you have done in the main character’s place? 7. Choose one character from the book. What influenced or inspired the character to act the way he/she did or say what he/she said? 2019-2020 Summer Reading Choices

Becoming by Michelle Obama Non-Fiction An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States. In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America, he helped create the most wel- coming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for wom- en and girls in the U.S. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

Circe by Madeline Miller Fiction In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child--not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power--the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

Conversion by Katherine Howe Fiction It’s senior year, and St. Joan’s Academy is a pressure cooker. Grades, college applications, boys’ texts: Through it all, Colleen Rowley and her friends keep it together. Until the school’s queen bee suddenly falls into uncontrollable tics in the middle of class. The mystery illness spreads to the school's popular clique, then more students and symptoms follow: seizures, hair loss, violent coughing fits. St. Joan’s buzzes with ru- mor; rumor erupts into full-blown panic. Only Colleen—who’s been reading The Crucible for extra credit— comes to realize what nobody else has: Danvers was once Salem Village, where another group of girls suf- fered from a similarly bizarre epidemic three centuries ago . . .

Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America by Beth Macy Non-Fiction In this masterful work, Beth Macy takes us into the epicenter of America's twenty-plus year struggle with opioid addiction. From distressed small communities in Central Appalachia to wealthy suburbs; from disparate cities to once-idyllic farm towns; it's a heartbreaking trajectory that illustrates how this national crisis has persisted for so long and become so firmly entrenched. From the introduction of OxyContin in 1996, Macy parses how America embraced a medical culture where overtreatment with painkillers became the norm.

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok Fiction When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to squalor, she quickly begins a secret double life: exceptional schoolgirl during the day, sweatshop worker in the evenings. Disguising the more difficult truths of her life-like the staggering degree of her poverty, the weight of her family's future resting on her shoulders, or her secret love for a factory boy who shares none of her talent or ambition-Kimberly learns to constantly translate not just her language but herself back and forth between the worlds she straddles.

The Knife Man: Blood, Body Snatching and the Birth of Modern Surgery by Wendy Moore Non-Fiction In an era when bloodletting was considered a cure for everything from colds to smallpox, surgeon John Hunter was a medical innovator, an eccentric, and the person to whom anyone who has ever had surgery probably owes his or her life. A captivating portrait of his ruthless devotion to uncovering the secrets of the human body, and the extraordinary lengths to which he went to do so—including body snatching, per- forming pioneering medical experiments, and infecting himself with venereal disease—this rich historical nar- rative at last acknowledges this fascinating man and the debt we owe him today.

My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier Fiction Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he’s also certain that she’s a psychopath—clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently Rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he’s the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the manipulation she’s capable of. Che’s always been Rosa’s rock, protecting her from the world. Now, the world might need protection from her.

Robots Vs. Fairies Edited by Dominik Parisien and Navam Wolfe Fiction Rampaging robots! Tricksy fairies! Facing off for the first time in an epic genre death match! People love pitting two awesome things against each other. Robots vs. Fairies is an anthology that pitches genre against genre, science fiction against fantasy, through an epic battle of two icons. On one side, robots continue to be the classic sci-fi phenomenon in literature and media, from Asimov to WALL-E, from Philip K. Dick to Terminator. On the other, fairies are the beloved icons and unquestionable rulers of fantastic fiction, from Tink- erbell to Tam Lin, from True Blood to Once Upon a Time. But when you pit them against each other, which side will triumph as the greatest genre symbol of all time?

Scythe by Neil Schusterman Fiction A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the conse- quence of failure could mean losing their own.

Speak No Evil by Uzondinma Iweala Fiction On the surface, Niru leads a charmed life. Raised by two attentive parents in Washington, D.C., he’s a top student and a track star at his prestigious private high school. Bound for Harvard in the fall, his pro- spects are bright. But Niru has a painful secret: he is queer—an abominable sin to his conservative Nigerian parents. No one knows except Meredith, his best friend, the daughter of prominent Washington insiders—and the one person who seems not to judge him. When his father accidentally discovers Niru is gay, the fallout is brutal and swift. Coping with troubles of her own, however, Meredith finds that she has little left emotionally to offer him.

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brian Fiction The Things They Carried depicts the men of Alpha Company: Jimmy Cross, Henry Dobbins, Rat Kiley, Mitchell Sanders, Norman Bowker, Kiowa, and the character Tim O’Brien, who has survived his tour in Vietnam to become a father and writer at the age of forty-three. It has become required reading for any Ameri- can and continues to challenge readers in their perceptions of fact and fiction, war and peace, courage and fear and longing.

We Are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai

Non-fiction Malala is shot in the head by the Taliban on October 9, 2012 on her way to school. Zaynab flees Yemen with her sister Sabreen, for fear of a stray bullet in the streets. Sabreen watches as Zaynab boards a plane to America without her, because for reasons unknown Sabreen’s visa wasn’t approved. Najla escapes captivity in ISIS. Maria, a true luchadora, flees with her mother and siblings from Columbia. Marie Claire seeks refuge twice, first from the Congo and then Zambia, before working tirelessly in America to graduate high school to honor her slain mother. In Malala Yousafzai’s new book, We Are Displaced, Malala recounts her own tale of displacement before handing the pen to eight other resilient young female refugees. We Are Dis- placed provides these women the opportunity to effectively communicate what it truly means to be dis-placed. Project Guidelines

1. Book Review 5. Quilt Square, Batik, Needlework Look at newspapers for examples, and write a review of your book. As you read the book, think about the important images that Include at least 5 paragraphs that explain the novel's strengths re- are revealed. Design a piece that incorporates these images garding plot, theme, characters, setting, etc. Be sure to explain what and reflects the story. The piece should measure at least 9 x 9 type of reader will enjoy this book and why. In your paper include inches. In a paragraph explain why you chose the image and at least 5 significant quotations from the book and explain how include at least 5 quotations that influenced the these impacted your review. "picture". 2. Character Letters 6. Painting Examine two characters from the book, and write four letters total As you read a book, you may form pictures in your mind of (at least 1 letter per character) from the viewpoint of the characters. the setting, a character, or perhaps a recurring symbol. Paint Letters should be at least one page and should be in a letter format this representation; the work should measure at least 8 x 11 including greeting, body and salutation. You are encouraged to in- inches. In a paragraph explain the reasons for your choice clude photos, drawings or other accompanying materials. In a para- and include 5 quotations that give insight into the charac- graph include an explanation as to why you chose the charac- ter's personality or description of scenes, etc. ters. Include at least 5 quotations from the book, and show how 7. Group Project ‐ Bringing Books to Life these influenced your letters. As you read the book, make note of passages that can be 3. Original Play dramatized in order to bring the story to life for others. The Continue the story line or show interactions between characters total performance should be at least 5 minutes and may be outside the story. Write a script including dialogue, stage direc- filmed or performed live. Each group member must choose tions, scenery, and any necessary commentary in proper format. In at least 5 quotations from the book and in a paragraph show a paragraph explain why you have chosen to write the scene, how these influenced the project. Make sure each group include at least 5 quotations from the book, and show how these member can document their work; each member must influenced your play/scene. submit an original paragraph. 4. Alternative Ending 8. Group Project ‐ Video Book Review How many times have you wished you could rewrite the ending of a As a book publicist, design and produce a commercial to book? Here's your chance to tie up all of the loose ends and resolve “sell” the book and hook readers. The video should be at the story in a way you like. Write at least five paragraphs to retell least 5 minutes long. Review the book, explaining the novel's the ending and include at least 5 specific references to quota- strengths as well as your own recommendations. Be sure to tions that influenced your new ending. explain what type of reader will enjoy this book and why. Each group member must choose at least 5 quotations from the book and in a paragraph explain their signifi- cance and how these passages affected the review. their Summer Reading Rubric work; each member must submit an original paragraph.

4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point The writing reflects The writing reflects The writing reflects a basic un- The writing reflects Understanding thorough understanding of derstanding of the text. limited understanding of of the Text understanding of the text beyond just the text; there is little evi- complex ideas and the recall of facts. dence that the text was concepts in the text.

The writing reflects The writing has few The writing has many spelling, The writing reflects mini- spelling, grammar, punctua- grammar, punctuation, or sen- mal control of spelling, Mechanics of appropriate spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence tion, or sentence formation tence formation errors. The er- grammar, punctuation, Writing formation. errors which do not inter- rors interfere with comprehen- and/or sentence formation. fere with comprehension. sion. It is difficult to read.

Writing/Art/ The writing reflects careful The writing reflects some The writing reflects minimal The writing reflects poor attention to detail and effort, attention to detail and ef- attention to detail and effort, and effort, and the guidelines Video and guidelines were complete- fort, and guidelines were guidelines were not followed. were not followed. ly followed. followed. Writing

The student participates and The student participates and The student participates and The student does not partic- his/her contribution to the his/her contribution to the his/her contribution to the dis- ipate or his/her contribution Group Discus- discussion reflects a thorough discussion reflects an un- cussion reflects a basic under- reflects a limited under- understanding of the concepts derstanding of the text be- standing of the text. standing of the text; there is sion and themes of the novel. yond just the recall of facts. little evidence that the text was even read.